Sealed Packages Sealed Packages Presented by Kimberly Andrews Preservation Services Officer Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts Philadelphia, PA
May 27, 2015
Sealed PackagesSealed Packages
Presented by Kimberly Andrews
Preservation Services Officer
Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts
Philadelphia, PA
Features of a Sealed Features of a Sealed PackagePackage
Mitigates against changes in humidity
Protects from environmental pollutants
Prevents insect and mold infestation
Continues to condition sealed micro-climate to preserve object
Contents of a sealed Contents of a sealed packagepackage
Glazing (UV-filtering glass or acrylic) Window mat/spacer with Bainbridge
Artcare matboard Object Artcare mat board or Tycore backboard Buffered, rigid corrugated backing board Marvelseal laminate and #415 adhesive
Cross section of a picture Cross section of a picture frameframe
Glass vs. AcrylicGlass vs. Acrylic
Glass Can break and
damage art Easy care, scratch
resistant Heavy Color distortion with
extra coatings Excludes all humidity
Acrylic Shatter-proof Needs special cleaner
and soft cloth Light weight Truer color
Moisture can migrate through
GlazingGlazingGlazing Material Material Light Light
TransmissioTransmissionn
Light Light ReflectioReflectionn
UV UV Blocking Blocking CapacityCapacity
Optium Museum Optium Museum AcrylicAcrylic
(UV-F, antireflective (UV-F, antireflective and antistatic)and antistatic)
96%96% <1%<1% 98%98%
Museum GlassMuseum Glass
(UV-F and anti-(UV-F and anti-reflective)reflective)
96%96% <1%<1% 98%98%
Conservation Clear Conservation Clear Acrylite Acrylic (UV-F)Acrylite Acrylic (UV-F)
92%92% 8%8% >98%>98%
Conservation Glass Conservation Glass (UV-F)(UV-F)
>89%>89% 8%8% 98%98%
Clear Acrylite AcrylicClear Acrylite Acrylic
(no coating)(no coating)92%92% 8%8% 66%66%
Picture Glass Picture Glass
(no coating)(no coating)>90%>90% 8%8% 45%45%
Window mat functionWindow mat function Holds the glazing away from the surface of
the object (prevent object’s touching the glass or acrylic)
Helps to secure the object with light pressure on its edges (assist the hinges or edge supports to restrain the object)
In a sealed package, continues to maintain micro environment with ideal humidity conditioning and off-gas adsorption (Bainbridge Artcare with zeolites)
Matboard thickness or plyMatboard thickness or ply
Archival grade matboard for window mats is available as 4 ply, 6 ply and 8 ply.
4 ply is traditional thickness but is inadequate for keeping object away from glazing.
8 ply is the preferred depth
Bainbridge Artcare Bainbridge Artcare MatboardMatboard
Microchamber technology Proprietary SPZ zeolite molecular
trap Alkaline buffer with calcium
carbonate to pH 8.5 100% cotton fiber paper
BackboardBackboard The object is attached to a 4 ply or 8ply
archival backboard or Tycore. An object is never attached to the window
mat. Gummed linen tape is used to hinge the
window mat to the backboard so the window mat is attached on the long edge like a book or from the top.
Backboard provides an acid-free, rigid surface to support the entire object.
Rigid Backing BoardRigid Backing Board
A rigid backing board should provide another layer of protection behind the backboard.
Alkaline buffered corrugated board (blue board) single or double wall, acid-free foam core board, or archival Coroplast are preferred.
Attaching or mounting the Attaching or mounting the object to the backboardobject to the backboard
Hinges Japanese paper (mulberry paper) and
wheat starch paste – can be T-hinges or V-hinges
Edge/corner supports Mylar photo corners Archival paper corners/edge supports
made from Microchamber buffered paper or Renaissance unbuffered paper
Mounting and hinging Mounting and hinging optionsoptions
Mat or spacer Mounting options
Window mat over the edge of the object
T-hinges, edge supports or corners
Float object in window sink mat or with spacers
V-hinges at top and sides, slip hinges
Hinging OptionsHinging Options
Creating Sealed PackagesCreating Sealed Packages
Marvelseal 360Marvelseal 360
Composed of laminated nylon, aluminum, polyethylene
Vapor barrier Bonds to self with heat Bonds to acrylic or glass glazing with
adhesive
Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing
Less than 1/8” 3M #415 neutral, double stick
adhesive tape is attached by hand to
the face and over the edge of the
glazing
Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing
Marvelseal is pulled taut over the adhesive
Marvelseal is boned flat
Tacking iron creates air-tight bond
Corners are folded and heat-bonded
Bonding Marvelseal to Bonding Marvelseal to GlazingGlazing
Marvelseal is trimmed to 1/8” on face of glazing
Edges are covered with clear Permacel/J-Lar tape to protect against puncture
Features of a Sealed Features of a Sealed PackagePackage
Mitigates against changes in humidity
Protects from environmental pollutants
Prevents insect and mold infestation
Continues to condition sealed micro-climate to preserve object
Thanks to:Thanks to:
Hugh Phibbs, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. American Institute for Conservation of
Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) www.aic.stanford.edu Picture Framing Magazine
www.pictureframingmagazine.com Australian Museums and Galleries Online www.amol.org.au Nielsen Bainbridge www.nbframing.com Cyro Industries www.tru-vue.com Northeast Document Conservation Center FrameTek Solutions